Voices for Conservation

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We did it!

Thank you to all the members and donors who contributed to help us meet our $20,000 challenge grant. Your support will help us meet the demand for science-based information to inform decisions on natural resources and the environment in Wisconsin.

Why We Exist

Once regarded as a national leader in conservation, Wisconsin’s proud tradition of dedicated stewardship of its land, waters, and wildlife has been severely compromised. Wisconsin’s Green Fire: Voices for Conservation, now seeks to reclaim that tradition of leadership for a new generation.

Our name, Wisconsin’s Green Fire, seeks to honor and further the life work of conservation leader Aldo Leopold. Our name does not reflect any formal affiliation with the Aldo Leopold Foundation, or the biographical film Green Fire. We do however share a common cause and commitment to the land ethic that Leopold championed, and to the pursuit and understanding of science in service to conservation.

In May 2017, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) granted a permit to Meteor Timber in Monroe County to fill 16.25 acres of wetlands, including 13.37 acres of white pine – red maple swamp, a very rare wetland type remaining in Wisconsin. The purpose was to construct a frac sand plant and rail transfer … More New legislation helps controversial sand-mining

Wisconsin’s Green Fire analyzed recent amendments to Senate Bill 600 and Assembly Bill 547, the legislative proposals to reduce state oversight of wetlands that are not protected under the federal Clean Water Act. See our analysis and February 11, 2018 press release. Wetlands grace our landscape in Wisconsin. But, over our history, we have lost … More Problems with removing wetland protections

By: Dr. Michael Meyer “Climate skeptics” often point to episodic extreme winter weather, such as the 2017/2018 polar outbreak, as evidence that climate change science is incorrect. If one were to delve into the topic a bit further, it becomes apparent that this recent cold spell could be consistent with evolving climate change theory. A … More Evolving Science: Extreme Winter Cold and Arctic Warming